The development of advanced materials with preselected properties is one of the main goals of materials research. Of especial interest are electronics, high-temperature and superhard materials for various applications, as well as alloys with improved wear, corrosion and mechanical resistance properties. The technical challenge connected with the production of these materials is not only associated with the development of new specialised preparation techniques but also with quality control. The energetic charged particle, electron and photon beams offer the possibility of modifying the properties of the near-surface regions of materials without seriously affecting their bulk, and provide unique analytical tools for testing their quality. Application of Particle and Laser Beams in Materials Technology provides an overview of this rapidly expanding field. Fundamental aspects concerning the interactions and collisions on atomic, nuclear and solid state scale are presented in a didactic way, along with the application of a variety of techniques for the solution of problems ranging from the development of electronics materials to corrosion research and from archaeometry to environmental protection. The book is divided into six thematic units: Fundamentals, Surface Analysis Techniques, Laser Beams in Materials Technology, Accelerator-Based Techniques in Materials Technology, Materials Modification and Synchrotron Radiation.

The systematic investigation of self-diffusion and impurity diffusion in metals began as a result of the availability of a wide variety of artificial radio- isotopes following the Second World War. During the following years, rapid advances in the theory of solid-state diffusion and the ever-increasing number of experimental data were comprehensively described in any number of textbooks and review papers. But impurity diffusion in metals was more or less superficially treated in the textbooks, and some of the review papers, with the result that - even up to now - a comprehensive review of the correct interpretation of impurity diffusion in metals has been lacking.

The energetics and mechanisms of diffusion control the kinetics of such diverse phenomena as the fabrication of semiconductors and superconductors, the tempering of steel, geological metamorphism, the precipitation hardening of nonferrous alloys and corrosion of metals and alloys. This work explains the fundamentals of diffusion in the solid state at a level suitable for upper-level undergraduate and beginning graduate students in materials science, metallurgy, mineralogy, and solid state physics and chemistry. A knowledge of physical chemistry such as is generally provided by a one-year undergraduate course is a prerequisite, though no detailed knowledge of solid state physics or crystallography is required.

Provides a thorough understanding of the chemistry and physics of defects, enabling the reader to manipulate them in the engineering of materials. Reinforces theoretical concepts by placing emphasis on real world processes and applications. Includes two kinds of end-of-chapter problems: multiple choice (to test knowledge of terms and principles) and more extensive exercises and calculations (to build skills and understanding). Supplementary material on crystallography and band structure are included in separate appendices.

Introduction -- The interaction of radiation with matter -- Basic experiments -- Nature and properties of the defects -- Annealing of defects -- Special topics.